Paul David Callahan, of Indian Hill in Carlisle, passed away at his home on Sunday the 23rd of August.

He was the son of Francis “Cal” Callahan and Edith Plummer Callahan. He grew up in Concord and attended the Concord schools, graduating from CCHS in 1966. While attending Northeastern University, he realized his true passion was poetry and he transferred to the newly founded Hampshire College for his final year.

After graduation, he drove directly to South Bristol, Maine to visit a friend. Ten years later he was still there working on the water, winter and summer, as a commercial herring fisherman. He cut down trees on his property for materials to build his own house and became an important member of the small fishing community.

Then a huge life change—he moved to Boston and entered the new adventure of a career in technology working for several companies: Digital, Nortel, Forrester Research, Airvana, and Propagate Networks, which he founded.

After retirement, he was able to pursue his true passions—gardening and writing. He created a beautiful, magical garden around his house, continuously moving plants around to see if they would be happier somewhere else. He could recite all their Latin names and just loved roaming around enjoying them. He joined the Carlisle Garden Club as their only male member and in 2023 his garden was featured on the Carlisle Garden Tour.

He finally had the time to write. His first book, published in 2014, was Door in Dark Water: A Dangerous Coming of Age on the Winter Sea. It chronicles his life as a herring fisherman in Maine, the unique characters he encountered, and the valuable lessons he learned.

Paul’s recently published book, which he did extensive research for over the past five years, is Marja & Mama V: Uncovering What is Hidden, And the Dangers of Doing So, a novel about two courageous, strong women. One reader wrote, “It is a monumental work, full of action, romance and a gentle, but searching human wisdom.” Another wrote, “Set in the 18th century, the book covers wide terrain, from Finland to a tiny corrupt Dutch island in the Caribbean, to Africa and then to trade outposts in North America, all the while teaching the reader about everything from midwifery to navigation, ship building and woodworking to the slave trade and bloody battle on the high seas.”

Although retired, Paul spent many years helping companies and individuals with their computer and networking problems. His wife really appreciated having a personal technology expert living in the house.

Paul spent hours on Ancestry.com researching his Irish roots and discovering family in Northern Ireland he never knew he had which resulted in visits and a lasting friendship.

He loved books and was excited when he discovered a new author. He also loved music and would often listen to songs that made him weep because they were so beautiful. And he loved movies. It was wonderful to hear him roaring with laughter while watching The Big Lebowski and joining him in watching The Hunt for Red October or Master and Commander for the tenth time.

In 1986 he was talking to an old friend and jokingly asked her if she knew any women who wanted to get married and have babies. She did know one, and a year later he married Nancy Roberts and they began a 39-year marriage, 33 of those years in Carlisle. He loved living in Carlisle. He never had dogs growing up, so he also loved having the special rescue dogs that came into their life.

Paul was especially proud of his two children, who also followed their dreams. His son Owen is a talented, passionate jazz musician in New Orleans and his daughter Sydney directs an urban teaching farm in Reno, Nevada which focuses on changing the way children and families eat and learn through garden-based education. A magical place.

Paul is survived by his wife Nancy Roberts of Carlisle, his son Owen Callahan of New Orleans, his daughter Sydney Roberts of Reno, Nevada and her husband Desmond Roberts, his sisters Eileen Callahan and her husband Robert Penny of Brookline, and Edie Daigle and her husband Steven of New London, New Hampshire. He was predeceased by his sisters Janet Donner of Maple Valley, WA and Ellen Nolan of Chamberlain, Maine.

Paul was knowledgeable on many subjects. His children would joke that if you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how a watch was made. His family and friends will miss his wisdom, knowledge, sense of humor and creativity.

In his memory, donations may be made to the: Carlisle Garden Club Debbie Wright Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 231, Carlisle, MA 01741.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.